Hussey, Henry Aloysius
Henry Hussey was a student at King’s in the early nineties. He was a good cricketer, and often played in the College matches. He was killed in Flanders in June, 1916, but news of his death has only just reached us.
King’s College Review, Dec. 1918
Between 1874 and 1889 six brothers, the sons of Mr Thomas Hussey, were students at St. Edmund's, where their name is as familiar still as that of any more recent Edmundian family. Thomas who came in 1884 was the oldest, and Henry who followed in 1886 was the youngest of these brothers. Both have now passed to their reward.
Henry was by far the better known of the two in recent years at St Edmund's. Up to fifteen years ago no cricket club was more familiar to Edmundian cricketers than that of the Zouaves; at the College no mention of that club failed to connote the name of Hussey, and the best known of all was " Harry " . The cricket pages of The Edmundian of those days will show the regularity of Henry Hussey's appearances on the cricket field with visiting teams; and his consistent usefulness to his side made him a most welcome and popular figure among the boys.
Of late years, however, he has been in Canada, where he was when war broke out. He at once joined the Canadian army, and came to England last year. After some time at Shorncliffe, he went to France in August of last year with the 4th Battalion of the 1st Canadian Brigade.
His Captain writes of him in words that recall his native cheerfulness and pluck. “It was before daybreak on June 13th, that my company was ordered to advance and take and consolidate the enemy's front line. Pte Hussey came through the barrage of artillery fire safely, and was consolidating the taken position with three other men in a small section of trench, when all four were killed by a large shell which landed amongst them. Their end was very sudden and painless. Your brother had conducted himself with the greatest sangfroid and gallantry, and set a very fine example to our younger and less experienced men. I remember he was very popular with the boys, and always a very keen politician, and liked a good argument or debate. For myself and for the company I can say that we can ill spare men of his stamp. “His family will have the real sympathy of all Edmundians. The name of Hussey will call up manifold kindly remembrances that will be a guarantee of many prayers, both for those who have gone and for those who remain of such well known and honoured sons of St. Edmund.
R.I. P.
St. Edmund’s College, Edmundians (with permission)
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Hussey |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Henry Aloysius |
| Date of birth | 1872 |
| Place of birth | Kensington Registration District |
| Family details | Son of Thomas and Agnes Hussey, of 23, St. Mary Abbotts Terrace, Kensington, London |
| Previous education | St. Edmund's College, Ware, Herts |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Military unit | Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment), 4th Bn |
| Service number | A/36041 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Date of death | 13 June 1916 |
| Age at death | 43 |
| Rank at death | Private |
| Commemoration(s) | Added to King’s College War Memorial in 2012; Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial; Canadian Virtual War Memorial |
| Sources | King’s College London Archives: Commonwealth War Graves Commission; King’s College Review; St. Edmunds College (Edmundians) |